All about garden strawberries
Garden strawberries are an ideal berry, from which various preserves, jams and fruit drinks are prepared. Many people like delicious preparations from such a product, so many owners of summer cottages want to plant such a plant in their garden. If you know all the basic information about it, you can cultivate it quite successfully.
What it is?
The description of this berry can be found in many scientific books. It is correct to call it pineapple strawberries or garden strawberries. You can also find such a name as large-fruited strawberries. In Latin, it sounds like this: Fragaria ananássa. This berry is considered a perennial plant. This means that the plant can not be transplanted for a long time, while getting a very good harvest.
The berry, which can now be found in almost any country, was once bred by crossing several types of strawberries. These are Chilean and virgin strawberries. It appeared in the 18th century. This berry looks like an overgrown flower, which consists of many small fruits. It is quite large and begins to bear fruit much earlier than strawberries.
How is it different from strawberry and victoria?
Often, even among experienced gardeners, you can hear disputes about the difference between strawberries and strawberries. Many of them argue that a small berry with a slightly elongated shape should be called a strawberry. But those varieties in which the berries are quite large are strawberries. But this judgment is completely wrong.The difference is slightly different. The wrong name appeared a long time ago. Even in the old days, many people called strawberries round-shaped berries. When varieties with larger fruits appeared, they continued to be called strawberries. Strawberries are mainly called wild berries. Actually it is not.
Strawberry
It is generally accepted that strawberries are a separate plant species that is not related to strawberries. Berries are fruits of an elongated shape. There are more small veins on its leaves. Also, a ripe berry has an incomplete color. There are female and male strawberry flower stalks.
In order for the ovaries to form, it is necessary that the male plants pollinate the female plants, which is not always possible. Therefore, gardeners try not to grow it.
garden strawberry
Its berries are larger, moreover, they are quite tender. They have a sour taste that many people like. If we compare the flowers of garden strawberries and strawberries, then the former differ in that they have both pistils and stamens. This allows them to self-pollinate. This means that the harvest should be every year. It is possible to grow such strawberries without transplanting up to 4-5 years. Then be sure to change the place.
Victoria
It is slightly different from garden strawberries. Victoria grows in rather large bushes, the leaves of which are very bright green. The berries themselves are large in size and have the shape of a cone. They are very sweet and have a strong aroma. Such a plant is not afraid of cold weather, as well as various pests.
Victoria is considered a mid-season variety, it has excellent yields. The berries themselves are not stored for too long.
Benefit and harm
Garden strawberries, like any berries, are very useful. It contains a lot of vitamins and useful microelements.Therefore, in the strawberry season, it is worth eating up on it so that the body is saturated with everything useful for the next year. Still, it's not worth overdoing it. Indeed, like any other product, strawberries are only good if eaten in moderation. Otherwise, you can even earn an allergy.
Varieties
To grow such strawberries, it was necessary to put a lot of effort and spend a lot of time. It did not always turn out the way gardeners would like. However, the active work of many breeders has made it possible to achieve success, and now it can be bred in different regions of the country. A large number of varieties have been developed that can be grown at different times. The most popular are "Victoria" and "Fresco". It is worth considering in more detail the varieties of garden strawberries.
Early
These varieties are distinguished by the fact that they have very tasty and juicy berries. The good news is that they begin to ripen at the end of May. These varieties can pollinate themselves, so they ripen successfully. These include the following.
- "Early Crimea". This variety is very easy to care for, as it does not produce a lot of tendrils. The berries are quite large and delicate in taste.
- "Clery". This variety differs from the previous one in that it has a lot of tendrils, which can capture a large amount of land in a season. However, this small drawback is practically ignored. After all, the harvest is always large, and the strawberries themselves are sweet with a wine flavor. Berries "Clery" are very large and it is a pleasure to eat them.
- "Honey" - This is the earliest ripening variety. Such strawberries begin to bear fruit early in May. In addition, the berries can be stored for a long time and can be transported quite well.
- "Calistemon". It also bears fruit from the beginning of May. This variety was bred specifically for impoverished soils.
Mid-season
These varieties of garden strawberries differ in that the bushes begin to bear fruit from June. They have many benefits. The biggest one is that the berries ripen when the sun is already warming at full power. Accordingly, the berry will be much sweeter. Here are the most popular varieties.
- "Sultan". This variety is grown commercially. After all, the berries are distinguished by their brightness and beauty, so it is most often taken to different restaurants.
- "Turida". These are quite large berries, the weight of which reaches 150 grams. Their shape is a bit like a comb. They have a slight nutmeg taste. However, they do not tolerate transportation well.
Late
These varieties begin their fruiting at the end of June, even at the beginning of July. They are very beneficial for gardeners who sell berries, because it is at this time that the demand for strawberries is especially high. In addition, a large number of different berries ripen at this time, which can be supplemented with compotes. The most popular among them is considered such a variety as "Jema".
This berry is very juicy and soft, but does not tolerate transportation well.
Refurbishment
They are very popular among gardeners, as they can produce more than once per season. In addition, they have a lot of advantages. Berries can be tasted already in the first year of planting. They also adapt to different weather conditions. The most popular among them are the following varieties.
- "A pineapple". These berries have an orange color and taste of wild strawberries. It bears fruit twice a year. The first - at the end of May, the second - at the end of September.
- "Consul". Fruiting also occurs twice a year. The first berries appear quite early, in early May, and for a long time they delight with a rich harvest. At the end of September, you can collect a second portion of ripe berries.This variety of strawberries does not require special care, as there are very few antennae.
- "Queen Elizabeth". This is a fairly productive strawberry variety, which can produce up to three crops by the end of November. Honey berry taste. The size is not very big. But at the same time there are a lot of berries, so gardeners are quite happy with everything. So, from 5 bushes you can collect up to 10 kilograms of strawberries.
Landing and care
Garden strawberries require proper planting, as well as care for the bushes. It is better to plant such a plant on the sunny side, where there is no wind, and snow can accumulate in winter. This is necessary so that the strawberries do not die. After all, its root system is almost on the surface. If the winter is snowless, and the temperature drops to 10 degrees below zero, then the plant will simply die.
Soil quality is also important. Sandy loam soils are the best. Experts do not recommend planting garden strawberries in those soils where there is a large amount of salt. Also, do not plant a plant in a freshly dug up earth. After all, when it begins to settle, the soil can tighten the roots very deeply, and this is undesirable for strawberries. It is necessary to prepare the soil six months before planting. Also, all the substances that are needed for good fruiting must be added to it. One week before planting strawberries, you need to dig up the ground again, however, you need to do this with just one bayonet.
In this case, it is necessary to place special additives that can be purchased at stores for the garden.
It is better to plant plants in early May. At this time, the bushes are gaining strength and take root well. You can also land in August. The weather must be a little gloomy. The distance between the bushes should be at least 25-30 centimeters.The ideal distance between the bushes is 50-60 centimeters.
Watering is very important for garden strawberries. It must be done once every 3 days. If the weather is too dry, then the beds should be watered every day. This is especially important during the flowering period of strawberries. If there is not enough moisture, the berries will be much smaller.
You also need to remember about weeding, which must be carried out on time. After all, loosening the earth will enable the root system of strawberries to breathe. Do not forget about mulching. For mulch, you can use both sawdust and straw. Such a process will protect the roots of the plant, as well as prevent weeds from growing.
Why is it bitter?
If strawberries have some bitterness, you should not immediately get rid of this variety. It can appear from lack of sunlight or from cold weather. If so, then next year the bitterness will pass, and you will be able to enjoy delicious strawberries.
So that it does not taste bitter, it is necessary to select varieties that are most suitable for the zone in which the plant will be grown.
What can be prepared from berries?
It is necessary to collect garden strawberries often. This must be done every two days. Not every person can immediately use such an amount of strawberries. Therefore, various preparations for the winter are often made from it. It can be compote, and jam, or just freezing. Here are some popular recipes for blanks.
Freeze
You can freeze berries in different ways. The first one is quite simple. Strawberries are thoroughly washed, dried on paper towels. After that, the berries are placed on a baking sheet or tray in one layer. Freezing occurs in batches. Then the berries are transferred to bags and stored in the freezer.
You can also freeze in another way. To do this, you need to take strawberries in the following proportions: pour 350 grams of granulated sugar per 1 kilogram of berries. Strawberries must be put in a flat container and sprinkled with sugar. After that, the berry should be placed in a cool place and wait until the juice appears. Then the fruits must be transferred to the vessel where they will be stored. The juice should completely fill all the gaps between the berries. The next step is to place the strawberries in the freezer.
In own juice
To prepare this dish you will need the following components:
- 1.5 kg of garden strawberries;
- 300 g of granulated sugar.
Step by step recipe.
- Berries must be sorted and washed.
- After that, they need to be folded into an enamel bowl and sprinkled with sugar. When 12 hours have passed, the strawberries should be transferred to prepared jars and poured over with juice.
- The next step is to pasteurize the jars. You need to do this for 15 minutes.
- After that, they must be closed with lids.
In winter, such strawberries will please the whole family.
Jam
To prepare such an interesting dish the following components are required:
- 1.5 kg of strawberries;
- 1.5 kg of granulated sugar.
Step by step recipe.
- Ripe berries should be thoroughly washed and sorted. After that, they should be sprinkled with sugar and let them brew for 40 minutes.
- Then everything must be chopped with a blender. The finished mass must be cooked in several steps for 10-15 minutes. Allow strawberries to cool after each use.
- When the jam thickens, it is simply laid out in prepared jars and hermetically sealed.
This jam can be used for cakes and tartlets, as well as simply spread on bread.
Jam
To prepare this dish components needed:
- 1.5 kg of garden strawberries;
- 2 kg of granulated sugar;
- 0.5 ml of water.
Step by step recipe.
- Syrup must be boiled from granulated sugar and water.
- After that, you need to add prepared strawberries to it.
- It is necessary to cook such jam until it is ready. Then the jars must be closed tightly.
This jam will please the whole family with its taste and aroma.
Wine
- 6 kg of strawberries;
- 4 kg of granulated sugar;
- 6 liters of water.
Step by step recipe.
- Strawberries need to be ground in a meat grinder and poured with sugar and water syrup.
- Everything must be placed in a glass bowl and set to ripen for one week.
- To prevent mold, the contents must be mixed from time to time.
- When this period has passed, the strawberry juice must be poured into another vessel and closed with a cork. From it you need to remove the tube and lower it into the water.
- After one week, a precipitate should appear, and the wine itself will become transparent. Now it must be poured into glass bottles and put in a cool place.
When 2.5 months have passed, the wine can be tasted.
Fragrant liqueur
Such a product requires such components:
- 1 kg of garden strawberries;
- 1 kg of granulated sugar;
- 1 liter of vodka;
- 100 g of water.
Step by step recipe.
- Cooked strawberries must be poured with vodka and corked well.
- After 1 week, the berries must be separated and sprinkled with sugar. Then they must be sent to a warm place.
- The strained liquid must be stored in the refrigerator.
- When 2 weeks have passed, all the ingredients must be mixed and let it brew for another 2 weeks.
The finished product must be filtered. Immediately after this, a sweet drink can be tasted. And you can leave it for some important event, because sweet strawberry liqueur is stored for several months.
Garden strawberries are a pretty tasty product. It is easy to grow and also care for it.At the same time, crops almost always turn out to be so large that there are enough berries even for harvesting.
The technology for proper planting and caring for garden strawberries is given below.